CHAPTER 150: LEVELING UP?

"You have to get comfortable with the water, Angela. It’s not going to harm you," Kaito said. His voice carried so much assurance that it calmed her. "You can do it."

Angela slowly took his hand and stepped into the swimming pool. It was not too big, just right for beginners. The moment her body brushed against his bare chest, her heart skipped. He looked breathtaking, and she could not help but stare.

"Hey, concentrate," Kaito whispered when he caught her staring at him. They moved to the middle of the pool where the water reached her waist. Then, without warning, he began splashing water at her.

"What are you doing?" Angela gasped, blinking as water dripped down her face. She tried to wipe it away, but he only laughed and splashed more, covering her arms and shoulders. "Is this how you teach?"

"Not really. You’re an exception, mate," Kaito chuckled, scooping water with his hands and pouring it over her face again. She held her breath, exhaled sharply, then glared at him, though she could not hide the little smile tugging at her lips.

"Come on. Let’s go under the water, even if it’s just for a few seconds. Try to hold your breath," he encouraged.

Angela nodded. She thought he would go in first, but instead he wrapped his arms around her, pressing her against his wet chest. A shiver raced down her spine. It was not from the cold water, but from the warmth of his closeness.

"Are you ready?" he asked softly.

"Yes," she whispered, taking a deep breath.

"One, two... three."

Together, they went under. To her surprise, it was not hard at all. She could breathe. Her lungs did not burn, and panic never came. Kaito stared at her in shock while she smiled, almost as if this was natural. They stayed beneath the water for six whole minutes before finally resurfacing.

"Did you see that?" Angela exclaimed, her eyes shining with excitement. "I could breathe under water. I don’t even know how I did it, but I did!"

Kaito looked at her with amazement. She was glowing with happiness, and he could not help but smile back. "Yes. I think your werewolf abilities are waking up. Slowly, but they’re coming. Tell me, what about your hearing? Do you notice distant sounds?"

Her smile faded a little as she shook her head. "No, I don’t." Then she looked at him with curiosity. "What about you?"

"I can stand here and hear a conversation in the dormitory. All I need to do is focus," he said simply.

Her eyes widened in surprise. She pointed toward the bigger pool where her classmates were gathered. "So you can hear them from there?"

He nodded, making her even more astonished.

"Do you filter the noise or do you just hear everything?" she asked.

"I filter," he explained. "If I don’t focus, I won’t hear anything. But once I set my mind on a conversation, every word reaches me."

"Wow, I can’t wait to unlock that ability," Angela said as she played with the water. She was still learning to bring her werewolf powers to life. The prophecy spoke of a she-wolf with great abilities, but so far, nothing had shown in her. "Something happened between Xavier and me the other day. It’s confusing, but I can’t say it was me."

"What could that be?" Kaito asked. He held her hand and helped her out of the pool. Before she could answer, Renn walked in. He came straight toward them.

"Seriously, bro? Is this how you teach students to swim?" Renn’s eyes fell on their hands, still linked in front of him. "I thought this was supposed to be a class."

He noticed the other students were all using the other pool, while Angela was here alone with Kaito. It looked suspicious. Renn’s eyes narrowed as he spoke, his voice sharp. "There’s no way I’m allowing this. Why did you separate her from her mates? This is supposed to be a class, for fuck’s sake, Kaito. Don’t be—"

"You’re angry because you see us together, but you invited her to a room date and lied to me when I came looking for her. Does that ring a bell?" Kaito cut him off, releasing Angela’s hand and stepping in front of her, shielding her from Renn’s stare. "You can’t deny it."

Angela’s heart skipped. Kaito knew about that night? She thought no one knew except her friends. If he knew, did the other two Alphas know as well?

Renn’s face turned pale, as if he had just seen a ghost. He opened his mouth to speak but no words came out. His eyes went to her, searching for an answer, but she shook her head. She hadn’t told him. So how did Kaito find out?

"I wanted to say something, but she had a secret to protect, so I didn’t," Renn finally said. His voice was tight with frustration. "Besides, she was my girlfriend, not yours. Why do I have to explain myself to you?"

"Here we go again with that girlfriend thing," Kaito said, rolling his eyes and sighing. He was tired of hearing Renn’s claim. "She’s mine as well. Don’t forget that."

Angela’s heart skipped. Kaito knew about that night? She had thought no one knew except her friends. Fear crept into her as she wondered if the other two alphas had also found out.

Renn’s face flushed as if he had seen a ghost. He wanted to speak, but the words got stuck in his throat. His eyes went straight to her, as if asking if she had told Kaito, but she shook her head. She had not said a word. Then how did Kaito find out?

"I wanted to say it, but she had a secret to protect, so I kept it," Renn finally said, his voice low but firm. "And besides, she was my girlfriend, not yours. Why do I have to explain myself to you?"

"Here we go again with that girlfriend thing," Kaito said with a sigh, his eyes filled with irritation. He was tired of hearing it. "She belongs to me as well. Don’t forget that."

"Oh please," Renn chuckled with a sharp edge, smacking his lips. "If not for the prophecy, there would be nothing between you two."

"Enough," Angela broke in. Her voice was steady, but her chest burned. She knew if she did not stop them, things would only grow worse, and a fight might break out. That was the last thing she wanted. She could not afford to draw such attention to herself when dangerous eyes were already searching for her. This academy was her only place of safety, her only chance to hide. "I belong to the four of you, and you belong to me. That is the truth, but it does not matter right now. What matters is why you came here, Renn. It must be important."

"Yes, it is," Renn replied, his gaze shifting between them. "I just came from Principal Valois’ office." His words made them both pause and move closer to him, curiosity sparking in their eyes. He took a breath before speaking again. "I found out she had nothing to do with Evan’s case."

"Do you believe her?" Angela asked with a frown. The thought of that woman made her chest tighten with jealousy, and she wondered if Renn would ever trust her the same way he seemed to trust his ex. "Maybe she’s lying just to stay in your good books."

"No," Renn replied with clear disgust. If only Angela knew what Miss Valois truly meant to him, she would never speak that way.

"She could be," Angela muttered, rolling her eyes.

"I already said no... wait, don’t tell me you’re jealous?" Renn chuckled, amused by her reaction.

"You two better not get on my nerves," Kaito finally broke in, his tone sharp. "If she’s not involved, then why is it taking so long for the investigation to move forward?"

"The woman is scared," Renn answered firmly. "If the board hears about it, the academy could be shut down. I’m not saying she isn’t guilty of other things, but in Evan’s case, she has no hand in it."

"So?" Kaito pressed.

Renn’s expression hardened as he glanced around to make sure no one was listening. "We need to act now. We can’t wait until tonight. Angela is in danger. Marcus is determined to find her, and we still don’t know why. But we must figure it out before he does. He’s getting closer to the truth."

Cold chills spread through Angela’s body. Was Marcus really her family, or was he only after something hidden inside her? If that was the case, what could it possibly be?

"Don’t be afraid. We’re with you," Kaito said softly, his voice carrying reassurance. He turned to Renn with resolve. "Tell the others. We need to return to the dorms and start preparing. There’s no time left."